Trooper

Sacrifice

Scarif: 0 BBY
Imperial Cargo Ship
Feylin Ryles

Their plan was being set into motion. Already, the shuttle had cleared the planetary shield and had landed. Jyn and Cassian had secured disguises and the ground troopers were on the move. Feylin prepared to follow them.

Cassian grabbed her arm at the last second. "Wait," he said. "We need you in the air."

Feylin knit her brows, thinking. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "You're a skilled pilot. Do what damage you can and protect the ground forces. We'll take care of the rest."

Feylin stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "Be careful. All three of you."

"We will," Cassian promised.

Feylin hesitated, then flung her arms around Cassian and pressed a brief kiss to his cheek. "I know, I know. But I had to," she whispered as she pulled away.

"I forgive you," Cassian said with a subtle smirk. He joined Jyn and followed her off the ship.

Bodhi joined Feylin shortly. "So what's the story there?"

"We were friends when I joined the Rebellion," Feylin replied. "Friendship grew to something more, but then we grew distant. I left with Admiral Raddus's fleet and Cassian stopped talking to me. Well, not just me. He stopped talking to everyone."

Bodhi nodded silently. "We all have problems and handle them in different ways. You'd better go find a ship while you've got the chance."

Feylin dipped her head to him and ducked off the ship. A squad of shore troopers and death troopers marched past. She crouched down behind some crates and waited until they were past, before pressing onward.

She came across a landing pad covered with TIE Strikers. Feylin inched her way towards one and jumped inside. She switched the comms on, then patched her own in. I'd better wait until the bombs go off, so that I won't blow our cover, she thought.

She didn't have to wait long. Distant booms began to echo across the beaches. The explosions thundered all around, with plumes of smoke billowing. Already, pilots were leaping into the TIEs. Feylin gritted her teeth and started up the engines, hoping no one would discover her before she could do some damage.

She lifted off at the same time as the others. They soared towards the nearest smoking landing pad. Feylin narrowed her eyes as her sights locked onto the TIE ahead of her. She fired and it went hurtling into the sand below. She pulled up quickly and doubled back, firing again.

She spotted Baze and Chirrut on the ground, blasting at stormtroopers. Suddenly, excited voices crackled over her comm. "The Rebel fleet is here! We've got support!"

Feylin glanced towards the sky excitedly. Several X-wings and a few U-wings soared through the planetary shield. "Rebel fighters, this is Gray Leader. Do not fire on my TIE. I repeat, do not fire on this TIE!" She shouted into her comm.

"Feylin?" General Merrik sounded somewhat surprised.

"It's me. Watch the shores. The ground troops need help as soon as we can get it to them."

"Transports are landing now."

"Sir, walkers!" Someone exclaimed.

"Take them out!" Merrik ordered.

Feylin fell in beside the General's X-wing and fired at the neck of the nearest walker. It began to collapse with a groan. She let out a whoop as it fell and burst into flames. Her cheer faded, spying the dozens more that waited. Feylin steeled herself and pressed on.